The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-07-21

Y
and want and crime of our city, give
the words which Thorwal isen had CHS
eied on the open scroll in the hand Of the
statue of John Gutenberg, the inventor
Of the art of printing:
Let there be light.
Still further: Reformatory societies are
an important element in the rectification
of the public fountains. Without calling
any Of them by name, refer more espe-
cially to those which recognize the physi-
cal as well g, the moral woes of the
world. There was pathos and a great
deal OF common sense in what the poor
woman said Or. Guthrie when he was
telling her what very good woman she
ought to be.
''Oh," she said, 'sf you were as hungry
and cold as am, you could think of moth
ing else"
believe the great want of our city IS
the gospel AMI som sthing to eatl Filth
and repentance are of infinite Importance;
but they can not satisfy an empty
stomach You have to go forth in this
work with the bread of eternal life in
your right hand, and the bread of this life
in your left hand, and then you can touch
them, initiating the Lord Jesus Christ,
who first broke the bread and fed the null
tiude in the wilderness, and then began to
preach, recognizing the fact that while
people are hungry they will not listen, and
they will not repent We want more
common sense in the distribution of our
charities; fewer magnificent theories,
more hard work.
Stil further: The great remedial in
fluence is the Gospel of Christ TAKE that
down through the lanes of suff sring.
Take that down amid the novels of sin.
Take that up amid the mansions and
palaces of your city. That is the salt that
can cure all the poisoned fountains of
public iuiquity.
Do you know that in this cluster of
three cities, New York, Jersey City and
Brooklyn, there are great multitudes of
homeless childrepa You see I speak
more in regard to the youth and the chill
dren of the couatry, because old villains
are seldom reformed. and therefore talk
more about the little ones. They sleep
under the stoops. in the burne l-out safe,
in the wagons in the streets, on the
barges, wherever they can get board to
cover them. And in the summer they
sleep ali night long in the parks. Their
restitution is well set forth by an Incl
dent
A city missionary asked one OF them:
Where is your home2"
Said he: 81 don't have no home, sir"
"Well, where are your father and
mother?"
s'They are dead, SIR"
s'Dld you ever hear of Jesus Christi"
"No, don't think ever heard Of him.
ibid you ever hear of God!"
eyes, I've heard Of Col. Some poor
people think it kind of lucky at night to
say something over about that before
they go to sleep. Yes, sir, have heard
Of him."
Think of a conversation like that in a
Christian city.
How many are waiting for you to come
out in the spirit ef the Lord Jesus Christ
and rescue them from their wretched-
nessl Oh that the Church of God had
arms long enough and hearts warm
enough to take them upl How many OF
them there are! AS l was thinking Of
the subject this morning, it seemed to me
as though there was great brink, and
that these little ones, with cut and torn
feet, were coming on toward it. And
here is a group Of orphans. O fathers
and mothers, what do you think of these
fatherless and motheriess little onesa Nc
hand at home to take care of their ap-
parel, no heart to pity them Said one lit
tie one when the mother died:
tsWho will take care OF my clothes
nowa"
The little ones are thrown out in this
great cold worla. They are shivering on
the brink like lambs on the verge of q
precipice. Does not your blood run cold
as they go over ita
And here is another group that comes
on toward the precipice. They are chill
dren Of besotted parents. They are worse
CT than orphans. Look at that pale cheek;
woe bleached it. Look at that cash across
the forehead; the father struck it. Hear
that heart-piercing cry; drunken
mothers blasphemY compelled it. And
we come out and we say:
so We suffering, peeled and blistered
ones, we come to help you''
'Too later' cry thousands Of voices
1.-THE path we travel is steep down, and
we can't stop. Too late!"
And we catch our breath and we make
| a terrific outcry. ssToo latei' is echoed
from the garrett to the cellar, from the
gin-shop and from the brothel. sTot
later' 1t is too late, and they go over.
Here is another group, an army of neg
lected children. They come on toward the
brink, and every time they step one hun
dred thousand hearts break. The ground
is red with the blood Of their feet. The
air is heavy with their groans. Their
ranks are being filed up from all the
houses Of iniquity and shame. Skeleton
despair pushes them on toward the brink
The death-knell has already begun t.
toll, and the angels of God hover like
birds over the plunge of cataract
| While these children are on the brins
they halt, and throw out their hands and
| cry.
| sHelpl helpp
0 Church of God, will you help9 Me,
and women bought by the blood of tn
Son OF God. will you helpl while Chris
cries from the Heavens:
Save them from going down; I am the ran
| som.
| stop ped on the street and Just looked
at the face of one of those little ones
Have you ever examined the faces Of tn
neglected children CT the poor1 Othe
children have gladness in their faces
| When group Of them rush across tn
road it seems as though spring gust ha.
unloosened an orchard OF apple blossoms
But these children of the poor There il
but little ring IN their laughter, and i
stops quick. as though some bite